England’s Robin Williams eased into 2022 with a five-under-par 67 at State Mines Country Club on Monday in the first round of the Big IGT Challenge Tour’s Q-School Warm-Up to take a one-stroke lead.
Williams, who played on an invitation in the Sunshine Tour’s PGA Championship at St Francis Links in November last year and finished 11th, made six birdies and a bogey to have a one-stroke edge over Sentanio Minnie, Bryandrew Roelofsz and amateur Judd Sundelson. Portuguese amateur Carlos Laranja and Michael Kok were in a share of fifth on three-under.
Williams, who was born in South Africa and took his golf game to its current level in the UK, has turned professional after a fine amateur career and is looking to kickstart his time in the paid ranks on the Sunshine Tour. He is in the field for the final stage of Qualifying School from April 26-29, but clearly needs to keep himself busy until then.
He started his day with a birdie on the first hole, but dropped a shot on the fourth to turn in level-par 36. Birdies on 10, 14, 15 17 and 18 made his homeward nine much more satisfying.
The 54-hole tournament continues on Tuesday.
